Federal officials have launched an investigation into allegations that the city’s largest charter school network discriminates against disabled kids and their families, the Daily News has learned.
Public Advocate Letitia James joined the parents of 13 current and former Success Academy students in filing a complaint against the charter school network with the Office of Civil Rights on Jan. 20.
In the complaint, co-signed by City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Queens) and several legal groups, parents and advocates accused Success Academy of failing to provide adequate support to disabled kids, pushing them out of classes and retaliating against families who complained.
Now officials with the Office of Civil Rights have vowed to investigate those accusations in a letter sent to the complainants last Thursday.
James said she welcomed the news.
“Every child deserves a great education, even if they have disabilities,” James said. “I look forward to working with Success Academy . . . to make this promise a reality.”
Founded by former City Councilwoman Eva Moskowitz, Success Academy operates 34 city schools and has plans to open seven more in August.
The network’s privately run, publicly funded charter schools enroll 11,000 students.
Success Academy achieves some of the highest test scores in the city, even though it operates in less affluent communities where students often struggle.
But controversy has dogged the network for years over accusations that it pushes out difficult students and trains kids too hard for challenging state exams.
Success Academy spokesman Stefan Friedman said many city families choose Success Academy over district schools.
“While we respect students’ due process rights, we have a responsibility to ensure that all of our students, including the 1,400 special needs children we serve, can learn in a safe and orderly environment,” Friedman said.